Friday, 26 October 2007

Amnesty International is hosting a Lebanese Cooking Demonstration andTasting with Afife Harris at Logan Park High School on Monday 12thNovember, 6-9pm. Tickets are limited and available from UBS or callAngelika on 4822 538, evgs only please. Come along and have a funnight with our first class Lebanese cook Afife and support Amnesty atthe same time.There will also be some delicious food for sale.

by Angelika Treschl

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Wednesday, 24 October 2007

Warrington School have been building up their computer facilities withmany computers obtained at little or no cost, these are running freesystem software such as Edubuntu. Free computers running freesoftware.

Computers are 'overflowing' out of the school to students' familyhomes. We are now able to 'bridge the digital divide' so thatanybody can have a good-quality, reliable computer in their home. Weintend to keep a steady flow of computers from donors via the Schoolto homes and out to the wider community of Warrington, and eventually,the whole planet!

We need to keep an eye out for good, used machines. Typically aminimum CPU of 600MHz with 256Mb RAM is OK. They often becomeavailable as workplaces upgrade their systems, so please keep an eyeout. We can wipe the disks, and negotiate a payment if required.Donated computers will be installed with one of the following Linuxdistributions:• Edubuntu (for children)• Ubuntu (for adults)• Xubuntu (designed for the older computers)

Supplied computers all have good modern web browsers, email, wordprocessors, spreadsheets, etc. If anything else is needed, there arethousands of other free programs to choose from. If you would like togo on a waiting list to receive one of our upgraded computers or ifyou know of good used computer hardware that is becoming available youcan call Rob at 4822 455. We can arrange for collection/delivery andsomebody to help get you set up with your new, free computer. Ourproject has some small costs so we will of course accept any koha youmight wish to offer.

by Rob Pearson

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'Push Play Month' October 2007 will be celebrated at Warrington Beachon Sunday 28 October, 12 Noon to 5pm with a 'Fun in the Surf' day.

In conjunction with the 'Push Play' programme promoted by Sport Otago,Warrington Surf Life Saving Club will provide a safe swimming zonewith flags and qualified Surf Lifeguards.

The Club's experienced surf sports athletes will be on hand to helpmembers of the public try out boogie boards, long boards, surf canoesand the inflatable rescue boat, for a gold coin donation. The Clubhope to be able to give people that don't normally use our facilitiesideas about activities they can get involved in at Warrington or otherSurf Life Saving clubs.

There will also be a sand castle building competition, spot prizes,and a sausage sizzle.

Sport Otago are holding a Push Play event at Moana Pool earlier inthe day so people keen on water sports can try out both events.

Waitati Hall, Tuesday 13 November, 7pm.Everyone is welcome – we need new members to come onto the committee!We only have about four meetings per year.

Duties include maintenance and management of this well used communityfacility. If you want to know more then talk to Louise at the BlueskinBay Library or Mandy Mayhem.

by Louise Booth-- -- From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.All our material is "copyleft" and may be freely re-edited andrepublished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

All-female 3-piece band 'Del Girl' will perform at Waitati Hall, 7pm,Saturday 17 November as part of their 'Two, maybe three, days ride'album tour.

-- From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.All our material is "copyleft" and may be freely re-edited andrepublished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

This photo by wildlife enthusiast Jim Russell was taken at Shag Pointon 15 October is believed to be the same whale observed off Omimi on17 October. Photo kindly supplied by Jim Fyfe, Department ofConservation. (c) 2007

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A special film evening (not in the official Film Society programme) atthe Waitati Film Society premises on Tuesday 27 November at 8pm willfeature three half-hour films by ex NHNZ/University of Otago FilmStudies students.

The documentaries to be screened are:'Singing Wood' by Sina Walker and Wiebke Hendry'Mad Mac and the Flat Ugly Snail' by Kate Bradbury and Bill Morris'Prints of Darkness' by Pip Walls and Mark Orton

Most of the film makers live in the Dunedin area and will be present.All welcome!

by Ulf Uchida

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The second poison drop was successfully carried out on the 8th ofOctober. The perimeter track was carefully checked for any oversownbait but until the signs are removed please do not handle or removeany bait or dead animals that you may see and do not allow children ordogs around the Ecosanctuary perimeter.As I walked the perimeter track I was amazed to see the extent of newplantings on the outside of the fence along the western boundary. Itis hoped that in time these flaxes will make for a more pleasantwalkway, provide a source of summer nectar for birds and alsocamouflage the fence somewhat from the Don's Creek subdivision. Welldone to Valerie and her team of volunteers.Will there be a spill over effect of birds from the ecosanctuary intoadjacent areas? Volunteer residents from Waitati, Purakaunui andSawyers Bay sat in their gardens for an hour in the second last weekof October, surveying the birds in their gardens as a first step toanswering this question.What effect will our felines have on these birds? From time to timethe subject of cats has been brought up at meetings and as a cat ownermyself I thought it may be instructive to learn more about what ourpets get up to. Yolanda Van Heesik has been conducting research intothe impact of cats on the bird population in Dunedin and I haveinvited her to speak to us at the next local meeting which is onNovember 14th, 7.30pm at the Waitati Hall.For further information on the Ecosanctuary, please see our box at theBlueskin Bay Library or visit www.orokonui.org.nz. A fact sheet on theaerial drop is available at the library and the Blueskin GeneralStore.by Sue Hensley

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Monday, 22 October 2007

Yay – the weather has warmed up and it is now time to hit the beach.The volunteer lifeguards have been out on weekends since SaturdayOctober 27 from 12-5 and we had our Club opening day on the 28th.We are now busy with swimming lessons in the pool and surf, beachgames, board skills small and large, canoe competitions, InflatableRescue Boat training, the list goes on and on.Subs $25 single, $40 family, Warrington Surf Club rash tops $10 deprefunded on return.For more info contact Lyn Hastie 4822896 or Kaye Burns 4822494.

by Christine Rainbow

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-- -- From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.All our material is "copyleft" and may be freely re-edited andrepublished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Kia ora once again. Isn't Spring wonderful! Are you all blooming andcolourful and so energetic you might be dangerous? Of course you are.So you will want to know what's new at the library. Read about ourproposed new hours. We need to know what you think. We have theFortune theatre visiting on Wednesday, 7 November for a 20 minuteexcerpt from Aladdin. Work on the banner continues, as doesstorytelling, book club and reading, reading.

Proposed Changes to Opening HoursOur proposed changes to opening hours were in last month's BlueskinNews. Please send your comments on these proposed new hours back tothe Blueskin Bay Library by Thursday 30 November.

Poetry Book Winner

Congratulations to Frances Russell for her title 'Blueskin Poets'.Carolyn is working hard at compiling the poetry book. Please, if youhave a poem to submit please get it to us super quick.

Aladdin by Roger HallLet us take you on a musical and magical carpet ride which will haveall generations gleefully entertained in a wonderful mix oftraditional elements, local tomfoolery and fantastic costumes.Starring a positive plethora of hugely talented and precocious actors.Come along for a fun-filled family preview with the Fortune Theatre'stalented cast of actors for a free 20-minute excerpt and accompanyingmorning tea. Phone 482 2444 for all enquiries. No bookings necessary.Wednesday 7 November11.00amBlueskin Bay Library

Banner project

The completion of this beautiful banner is well in hand. But morehands would be welcome. Even if you have not been one of the workersso far, and if you enjoy needlework, painting, and would like to beinvolved, leave your name and contact details at the library so thatKate can contact you.

Storytelling:

As usual, we have our stories for little ones in the library everyFriday at 10.30. Come along and enjoy.On every second Friday Heinke has been telling stories for olderchildren in the hall committee room. To help us organise this, we havedecided to take registrations, so that Heinke can respond to interest.If you intend to come, please give us your name at the library. Thedates are November 2nd, 16th and 30th at 4pm.

Christmas Angels

We are still taking names for Vicki's workshop on making beautifulbeaded angels for your Christmas tree. Don't miss out.

The Library at Warrington

This month we will be in Warrington on two Wednesdays: 14 November and28 November, 2-3pm. We hope to see you there.

Warrington Book Club

Our members meet Helen and Kate for book talk, activities andrefreshments on Tuesday 27 November 3.15-4.30pm, Warrington Schoollibrary. All are welcome.Bye from Louise, Carolyn, Helen, Kate, Amanda, Mike and Meaghan.

by Louise Booth

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Sunday, 21 October 2007

Warrington Playcentre is holding a public Information Evening todiscuss Nutrition and Active Movement in Early Childhood on Wednesday21 November at 7.00pm. Jo Arthur of the National Heart Foundation andOwen Booth of Sport Otago will give a public presentation of about 11/2 hours.

by Dawn Hope

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It is great to be back at Play centre for another term of fun andlaughter (and the occasional tear). The children came back havinggrown more over the holidays and were super excited about seeing theirbuddies, playing with the fantastic supervisors and parent helpers.It's true what they say about a pPlaycentre being the heart of acommunity. This Playcentre has so much life and energy that both theparents and children look forward to walking through the gate for amorning full of enjoyable activities and learning.There is something very special about the Warrington play centre; it'swhere Mum can go and form friendships with other woman in thecommunity, there have been many social events orgainsed over theplaydough table or whilst building a hole with a digger in thesandpit. The laughter you hear when you drive or walk past our playcentre is not to be taken as only children's laughter, I can guaranteeyou there's a giggle going on with the adults too, and rightly so.There is always a smile awaiting your arrival and someone to help youunload the buggy or settle a little one in.As a mother I have really thrived on attending Playcentre for a vastamount of reasons: watching my child interact with those who aren'trelatives or siblings; seeing how they make decisions in theplayground; how they choose what task they want to carry out and howthey interact with other adults. I have also really enjoyed theinteracting I get to do with other Mums in the community and talkingabout parenting, health issues and nutrition.There is a great support network at Warrington Playcentre which hasbeen there for years and years, this is something that all the Mumshave treasured past and present.This term has kicked off with lots of terrific things happening: a newflat turf area for the kids to ride their bikes, a trip to the MayfairTheatre to see Songs of the Sea, a visit to the Library and many moreon the horizon.We have room for more families to attend our Tuesday and Fridaysessions, so if you areat home with your little ones contemplating Playcentre then pleasecome along and see for yourself how special our centre really is, we'dlove to meet you and your little ones.This term we have seen a change in our President role, with thewonderful Jo Wass handing the keys over to Rowan Holt. Jo has done abrilliant job for our Playcentre over the past 18 months and we arereally appreciate her doing so.We have said 'Good luck and farewell our friends' to Esther, Eli andMikey who will all be starting school. What wonderful children theyare and a pleasure it has to have had them as part of our play centrefamily for so long.You can contact our Playcentre during session times at 027 227 7329.

by Hannah Randall

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My vege garden is overflowing with lovely spinach at the moment and Iam always looking for interesting ideas to use it. You can use it inall sorts of pies, quiches, pasta, risotto, salads and it is a goodsource of calcium. My friend Hannah gave me this recipe and it isabsolutely superb – you must try it – everyone in our family lovesit! Use the freshest produce possible for best results.

Saut_ the onions in the butter, add the flour and cook for a couple ofminutes. Add a splash of milk then the chopped garlic. Add themushrooms, stir then add the stock and simmer for a few minutes. Getthe herbs and put in a mortar & pestle with a little bit of boilingwater – this helps release the flavours (a Jamie Oliver trick) thengive them a good bash. Add the herbs with the milk to the soup pot,season with salt and pepper. Put the spinach on top and put a lid onthe pot – leave for a few minutes until the spinach is nice andwilted. Use a stick blender to wiz it up then serve hot with croutonsand feta cheese. Mmmm

by Rowan Holt

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The OUSA Fire and Juggling Club is holding a Fire and JugglingFestival at Millervale Retreat Centre from November 9-12. The festivalwill feature a free Public Show on Saturday night at 7pm and everyoneis welcome to attend.

To be run in cooperation with the Circo Arts performers fromChristchurch, the Festival will offer workshops on juggling,unicycling, stilt walking, acro-balance, trapeze, fire performingarts, clowning and miming, drumming and many more, with experiencedtutors, some from overseas. The course attendance costs $20 per dayand includes yummy vegeterian food.

If you would like to know more please contact me on 021 1215738 oremail oneflammableguy @ hotmailcom.

-- -- From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.All our material is "copyleft" and may be freely re-edited andrepublished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

I have just realised that I have not put the date of our next meetingin the report.

The date of the next meeting is Thursday 8 November 2007. This is inthe form of a "Garden Ramble". We will be visiting gardens in theWarrington area commencing at 6.30pm. Please contact Lyne Carlyle on4822 822 for further details if you are interested in joining us.

Tuesday, 16 October 2007

(Note from the Editors: Blueskin News welcomes Pete Hodgson to ourpages as his electorate boundaries have shifted to cover our area fromnext year's Election. Until then Jacqui Dean and Mahara Okeroa remainofficially our MPs so we will welcome articles from all three Membersduring this interegnum.)

Poozling

I'm not sure why, but thirty years ago that which we now callrecycling was known as 'poozling' and the product of poozling wasknown as 'poozle'. More accurately poozle was recycled buildingmaterials from old abandoned houses, used to refurbish old unabandonedhouses.

I owned an old house. It cost me $9,200 so you might imagine thatsome of it was rotten. In particular, weather boarding had notweathered well. The exact shape was not available from the timbermerchants, so poozle was needed.

A poozle hunt was mounted and that is how I came to first travel toWarrington from Leith Valley where I had just shifted to (having beenborn and raised in Whangarei – but that's another story). There to mywonderment and joy were weatherboards just like my weatherboards.

They were lovingly removed and relocated to my place, stripped,attached and painted. And they haven't rotted. They are Rimu. Theyare there today. I am not. I have long since relocated to Sawyers Bay.And neither is the building I poozled. It was called SeacliffHospital.

by Pete Hodgson MP

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September was a very busy month for members of the Blueskin GardenClub. On 22 and 23 September we held our annual Spring Flower Show atthe Waitati Hall. This was a very successful show with 790 entries allof which produced a very colourful and interesting display. Thanks tothe pupils and staff of Waitati and Warrington schools for enteringinto the spirit of our show and producing excellent entries in thechildren's section. Those children present at the prizegiving onSunday afternoon all received a flower to plant in their garden.

Thanks also to the judges who had the very hard job of judging thevariety of different sections, especially the daffodils that were manyand varied. All in all it was a most successful Spring Flower Showthanks to the community spirit that prevails.

The following weekend (for our October meeting) a van load of Clubmembers travelled to Lawrence for the day. We had a very full daywith a stop off for morning tea, a visit to Weaver, Lindy Chinnerywhere we purchased several items, a visit to The Ark garden (where wepurchased plants of course). Then it was off to lunch at the LemonTree Cafe – this was a most leisurely and enjoyable lunch full ofchatter and lovely food! This was followed by a bit more retailtherapy then off to see the fantastic display of daffodils growingwild at the old brewery at Weatherstons just outside Lawrence. Therehas been a lot of clearing of the gorse and broom in the area whichhas revealed hundreds more daffodils some of which date back to earlythis century. It was an amazing sight well worth a visit.

We arrived back in Waitati around 7pm (having left at 8.30am) tired,but full of enthusiasm for our next garden visit. Thanks to GlenysBarnett from the Mt Cargill Trust for providing the van for the day.

by Lesley Smith

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Tuesday, 9 October 2007

Everyone is welcome – we need new members to come onto the committee!We only have about four meetings per year.

Duties include maintenance and management of this well used communityfacility. If you want to know more then talk to Louise at the BlueskinBay Library or Mandy Mayhem.

by Louise Booth

-- -- From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.All our material is "copyleft" and may be freely re-edited andrepublished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Tuesday, 2 October 2007

The amount of dog poo at the Warrington Playground hasbecome a talking point for parents. While most peopletry to ignore the unsighly doggie doo around ourstreets, for young toddlers and crawling babies dogpoo is a health risk, especially at a children'splayground.

In a small community like Warrington it best to avoidconflict and the best way to achieve this is foreveryone to respect each other's concerns.

-- -- From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.All our material is "copyleft" and may be freely re-edited andrepublished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Monday, 1 October 2007

Constable Jon-Paul Tremain is bothered about rural drivers' attitudeto paperwork – warrants of fitness, vehicle registrations, andgraduated licences. "Ensure your vehicles are up to scratch androadworthy, Jon warned. "Learner and restricted drivers, it is time tomove on to either your full licence or the next part of the graduatedsystem, don't allow yourself to be ticketed with hefty fines, the costof moving on is far less than the cost of accruing infringementnotices."

Jon also issued a plea for drivers to "please keep an eye out forpeople on foot, riding bicycles, or riding on horseback, remember weshare the roads – we don't own them."

by the editors

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Blueskin Media

A voluntary non-profit community media organisation, producing this website and the monthly Blueskin News (600 copies, distributed to rural mailboxes and local pickup points, published 1st of each month except January; deadline 22nd of preceding month).
All material sent to and/or published by us is "copyleft" in the public domain and may be freely copied, archived, re-edited and re-published. Content is pooled with other local media. pease email to editors @ blueskin.co.nz by the 22nd of the month. Text should be in the body of an email, no attachments, no fancy formatting, two returns between each paragraph, heading or item of a list.